“My aim is to express, through the medium of ‘light’, simple fleeting moments of clarity, experiences of connection with the world.”
Installation Art of Bruce Munro
Back in 1905, the industrialist Pierre du Pont endeavored to save a collection of trees that were to be sold as lumber. According to Longwood Gardens, du Pont invested to create a”horticultural showplace” and since that time, the garden administrators have worked to apply innovative sustainable practices.
The plants shown in their seasonal displays are composted at Longwood, producing soil for future displays. The Gardens’ Integrated Pest Management Program uses natural means to manage pests whenever possible and in order to conserve energy, there is a cutting-edge root-zone heating system. This enables the indoor plantings to receive heat without it escaping into the ambient air.
Now the garden is showcasing another type of sustainability through the large scale installation art of Bruce Munro, a British light architect. Munro’s work is focused on enhancing the natural world and he does so through the use of recyclable items such as plastic water bottles and compact discs.
Photos diminish the magic captured in the air around Bruce’s work. I fear the nighttime was also a challenge. Take a look and I hope it inspires you to pop on over to Longwood Gardens website or better yet, to go out and see it.
Agrigirl's Blog 
Sheree
/ September 12, 2012Lovely. I look forward to learning more about Longwood Gardens (and, I hope, visiting some day).
For a few years–around 2004-2006, I received a subscription to a lighting design trade magazine. I think it was because I’d done some freelance writing about that industry. It was fascinating to learn about the art and science of lighting design. Before then, I’d never thought much about lighting as an element of architecture or art (outside of filmmaking and theatre).
Since those years, I’ve taken a much more active interest in aspects of light in architectural design and the role of light in my own life, office and home. It’s really fascinating.
Thanks, as always, for sharing these stories and insights, Tammy.
Tammy
/ September 13, 2012You’re welcome. Light is fascinating isn’t it. I went to a lighting seminar once and I was amazed by what I learned about ways it can influence your living inside a home.
shrinkingthecamel
/ September 12, 2012Tammy, I live not too far from Longwood Gardens, and it is truly an amazing place. One of my favorite experiences there was taking my wife to a “Harvest Dinner” for her birthday in October of 2010. It was a wonderful spectacle of beauty and bounty. It was a perfect crisp evening. They started us in one section of the garden with hors doerves while a classical guitar player accompanied us all. Then we kept moving to stations, finally as the sun set and the moon was rising we came to an enormously long single table that seated all of us (maybe 100 people?). They served a delicious meal and drank wine and chatted and laughed with all of the folks seated around us… Instant community. What was also special was that I was seated right next to the new Director of Longwood Gardens, and got to know him a little bit. What a great memory you’ve stimulated tonight!
Tammy
/ September 13, 2012That dinner sounds amazing. That new director (I believe his name is Paul) will be here in AZ for the American Public Garden Association meeting and I look forward to getting to know him also. I was so very privileged to be included in this special Longwood tour.
nrhatch
/ September 13, 2012That sounds like a PERFECT Harvest Dinner and garden stroll!
herbanlifestyle
/ September 12, 2012Sustainable AND beautiful!
Tammy
/ September 13, 2012Both!
Debbie
/ September 12, 2012This fascinates me, Tammy. I keep wanting to look at what I have and instead of pitching it or even giving things away . .. to think what else I could create with it or from it. To re-purpose it. Thank you for sharing this amazing place!
Tammy
/ September 13, 2012You should check out pinterest sometime Debbie. It is full of repurposing ideas. Of course, it is another way to spend a lot of time in front of the computer.
Rukmini Roy
/ September 12, 2012Its light, its soda bottles, what’s not to love! So trippy! I am loving this idea.
Tammy
/ September 13, 2012Yeah!
Kate Bart
/ September 13, 2012Bravo!!!! As usual, Agrigirl, you simply amaze us with beauty in the ordinary! I always wanted to see Longwood’s Dancing Waters, but this upcycled art rather rivals Chihuly! With Pinterest, it has become so easy to learn about DIY ideas and upcycling! In the 70’s, I striped canisters of film with bleach so my 1st graders could color the blank film with permanent markers. When we ran it through a projector, we had a magic lightshow for our creative writing class. Guess I’m just an upcycled Berkeley flower child at heart!
Tammy
/ September 13, 2012That’s a fun idea!
Kathy
/ September 13, 2012I haven’t been there in years but now it’s on my list of things to do again soon! Thanks!
Tammy
/ September 13, 2012I hope you might be able to see it while this exhibit is there Kathy. It’s amazing.
hotlyspiced
/ September 13, 2012That’s amazing that someone was thinking about sustainability over a hundred years ago. Amazing! xx
Tammy
/ September 13, 2012Thank goodness they were!
Sally Mom
/ September 13, 2012Gosh, that is absolutely lovely. Thanks for the ideas! I understand there are people in India and S. America that use plastic soda and water bottles in the roofs of homes without electricity, for natural light. Genius.
I would love to see this light show you shared!
Tammy
/ September 13, 2012I bet that is true Sally – a great vehicle for a sky light.
nrhatch
/ September 13, 2012If we still lived in Maryland . . . I would head over to Longwood Gardens today . . . or maybe tonight. Definitely this week.
Great post.
Tammy
/ September 13, 2012This one is definitely a night venue.
cindyricksgers
/ September 13, 2012Thank you for another enlightening post! I was unfamiliar with Longwood Gardens, but have now checked out their web site with great interest. Up-cycling has always been an interest of mine, and I am thrilled to see this wonderful work. Lovely!
Tammy
/ September 13, 2012It is a beautiful place.
Lisa H
/ September 14, 2012Absolutely lovely! Wonder if the exhibit will ever make it to our Botanical Garden here in Phoenix? It looks so soothing. Thanks for sharing!
Tammy
/ September 15, 2012Maybe, just maybe you will see it.
Inger Wilkerson
/ September 14, 2012Looks really interesting–will have to tell my daughter about this…
Tammy
/ September 15, 2012If she is near, it is very worth it.
kateshrewsday
/ September 15, 2012It looks quite wonderful, Tammy! A magical place!
Tammy
/ September 15, 2012Really a magic night Kate. Warm, dark, and then the fog rolled in.
nancy at good food matters
/ September 16, 2012thank you for introducing me to Bruce Munro and his fantastic work with light. I would love to spend time at his installation. Wondrous! and his mission, with which you begin your post, is both eloquent and uplifting.
Tammy
/ September 16, 2012Yes, he’s a very inspirational fellow. We were so lucky that he was present for our tour. This is his first solo show in the U.S. although he did a smaller group show at the Guggenheim a couple of years ago.
souldipper
/ September 16, 2012I drool over this light show. Could we have fun with this on our island! Light brings out the best in us.
Tammy
/ September 16, 2012That is so funny Amy! My MIL lives on an island south of you and she said the EXACT same thing. One day, I am coming up and we are all going to get together!
souldipper
/ September 16, 2012Does your MIL have access to Bill Gates’ yacht? That would make a perfect way to get together!
Robin
/ September 17, 2012I love Longwood Gardens and would love to see Bruce’s work. Alas, I’m not going to make it out that way in time to see the exhibit. Thanks for sharing it through your photos. It looks beautiful.
Tammy
/ September 17, 2012Maybe it will travel your way!
milkayphoto
/ September 18, 2012Sooooo creative! Must be simply amazing to see in person!
Tammy
/ September 18, 2012It’s beautiful!
Kath (My Funny Little Life)
/ September 22, 2012This is truly beautiful!
Tammy
/ September 22, 2012Isn’t it?
Victoria Elizabeth Barnes
/ September 27, 2012I was just there for the dahlia show… unfortunately we had to leave before it got dark. I was disappointed to miss the forest walk, particularly.